In a challenge to app and web developers, Ford aims to help drivers get the best, most reliable, personal fuel economy data so they can optimize their fuel usage.

At the New York International Auto Show, Ford announced a $50,000 Personalized Fuel-Efficiency App Challenge, asking software developers to create the best apps to help customers easily access their personal fuel-economy performance data.

The Challenge is designed to “create an app to improve everyone’s fuel economy”, according to Jim Farley, Ford Executive vice president of global marketing. The independent developer that produces the best application for measuring fuel economy in the real world (as opposed to stock EPA test data on MPG) will receive $50,000.

To help build the applications, Ford is giving developers full access to both their hardware and software running the OpenXC platform, allowing them to integrate their own creations with the data-gathering and interactivity possible with that architecture.

“Ford Motor Company is challenging software developers to create the best mobile or web-based apps that will help customers easily access their personal fuel-economy performance data. With this data, using on-road personalized experiences, customers can share, compare and learn how to optimize their fuel usage. Developers must use data via the OpenXC platform. Winners will receive $50,000.”

The Challenge opens for submissions on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, and details and guidelines will be available to registered users at that time. Find out more at ChallengePost.

If you read this far, we assume you found this post interesting. Please help Blackle Mag thrive by sharing it using the social media buttons below.